A fine English mounted yataghan, first quarter of the 19th century, Balkan blade 24 in., of typical forward curving form and inlaid in silver with panels of scrolling decoration involving script, the shoulder covered with a silver repoussé plate; English ‘Mameluke’ style hilt of gilt brass and ivory, quillons and langets richly embossed with oak leaves, grip strap formed of leaf chevrons with a beaded medial line, ivory pistol grips secured with flower head rivets; black leather scabbard with gilt brass locket and chape - each encircled by a band of leaf chevrons, the outer faces engraved with elegant botanical forms against a textured ground, the locket with two loose rings having reeded edges and Greek key decoration to each side, inner face of locket with cutler’s particulars engraved within a seeded border “Salter Sword Cutler & Jeweller to H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex 35 Strand LONDON”.
John Salter, who occupied 35 Strand between 1801 and 1824, is notable as having been both cutler and jeweller to Admiral Lord Nelson, and to a limited number of other naval officers including Edward Pellew; and as having been cutler to Lloyd’s Patriotic Fund.
The blade is dated 1220 AH (CE 1st April 1805 - 21st March 1806) and carries a pious invocation to Hasan and Husain, key martyrs in Shi'ite hagiography who died at the battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Their names appear on many Balkan arms. The silver inlay work can be attributed to Shkodra, Montenegro and southern Bosnia. There is a similar blade in the Wallace Collection.
Source: Woolley & Walli Auction house
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